Periods are accompanied by so many hormonal changes but none of them can beat the trouble caused by acne breakout. For many of us, the changing hormones reflect most notably through skin problems such as acne.
Stomach ache, mood swings, and irregularities are sometimes inevitable in periods. But thankfully, there are ways to prevent or minimize period acne by switching up your usual skincare routine in certain ways. Before that, let’s quickly understand why period acne occurs.
What is period acne?
The hormones fluctuate a few days before the beginning and end of the period. These fluctuations reflect on our skin in the form of acne. To be precise, the production of progesterone falls and estrogen rises right before the period starts. As a result, the skin gets oilier which clogs the pores resulting in a breakout. You get papules, whiteheads, and cystic acne during this time.
What causes period acne?
It all comes down to the imbalanced hormones during this time. Estrogen is responsible for improved skin and its smoothness. But during this time, the fluctuating estrogen level triggers excess sebum production. With high levels of sebum, estrogen, and progesterone, there is an explosion of hormonal period acne that is witnessed during this phase. With periods, the progesterone level falls along with estrogen leading to an excess breakout.
How to fix period acne?
With some caution and care, you can minimize your period acne. Here are a few topical skincare ingredients which are useful to combat the problem:
- Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is a gentle, oil-soluble chemical exfoliator that also has anti-inflammatory properties. Salicylic acid or BHA serums can penetrate deep into the pores, get rid of excess sebum and prevent any kind of pore-clogging beforehand. Products with this ingredient in them are a good choice to ensure acne symptoms are reduced.
- Retinoids
Retinoids are Vitamin-A derivatives that are used topically to reduce mild and medium acne breakouts. If the acne problem gets severe during the periods, serums and lotions with retinoids are great choices. Regular usage of retinoids makes sure you have smooth skin all the time!
- Non-comedogenic Sunscreen
Sunscreens are essential to avoid sunburns and skin damage when you’re exposed to UV rays. Choosing a non-comedogenic sunscreen like the Foxtale Cover-Up sunscreen ensures the acne does not get aggravated due to clogged pores.
- Benzoyl Peroxide
This ingredient is available in the form of creams and lotions. It is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial as well. The ingredient helps to reduce redness and swelling making it a recommended option to fight acne.
Period acne is not uncommon but it can be combated well with many topical products and hygienic habits. Proper diet, a relaxed lifestyle, and using good skincare products diligently are the basis of flawless skin even during periods.
